Playstation 3 1.31 system update adds support for two PS2 hard drive games

Today, Nobunaga no Yabou Online: Haten no Shou is released in Japan for the Playstation 2. Since it is an online game it requires the hard drive add on, which Sony has been reluctant to back up. Corresponding with Nobunaga no Yabou Online: Haten no Shou’s release, Sony announced Playstation 3 firmware version 1.31. This new firmware version allows PS3 owners to play two hard drive requiring PS2 games. Nobunga no Yabou Online: Haten no Shou is one of them and Final Fantasy XI is the other. While Sony might have had some problems with backwards compatibility they are working fast to rectify the problem.

Though I’m long done with my several-year-long FFXI binge it’s nice to see that Sony finally decided not to screw over the company who is arguably one of their largest system selling developers. After the whole slimline ps2 no HD fiasco and general malaise on Sony’s part concerning the ps2HD in general, it’s good to see them fixing the issue, even if it is a touch late. At least Sony didn’t decide to go with cartridges on the ps3.

They’re certainly working quickly. They can’t let go of the Final Fantasy franchise, so they’re going have to balance using new technology and smooth game-console integration. Sony’s also rushing very quickly into new technology in an effort to appear constantly fresh and innovative, but it’s pretty hard on both the game developers and themselves, at least when it comes to support for games that require such extensive and complicated cores. It’s also somewhat hard on the consumers, as new technology doesn’t come cheaply, but they’re still making a hefty profit even though their market has narrowed.

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